Dealing with “Low Head Drainage”

You’ve turned off your sprinklers and notice that water is flowing onto the sidewalk or curb but then stops after a few minutes. Clearly, there’s a problem and one that’s compounded by the fact that you have to deal with water usage restrictions as well. What is going on? And how do you do deal with it?

Finished Repair, Grass Back in Place, Clean Job

The phenomenon you’re seeing is probably due to something called “low head drainage.” This typically happens when a sprinkler system is installed on a sloped area. The slope itself doesn’t have to be sharp. A change of elevation that’s less than 12 inches can still cause problems.

The main difference between low head drainage and a leaking valve (which could also explain the water overflow) is that low head drainage results in water flowing from the lowest sprinklers for a period of time after they run but all drainage stops after the pipes or empty. If the valve is leaking, water will run out of the lowest sprinkler head 24 hours a day until the valve is fixed.

To correct a low head drainage problem, you need to install special anti-drain check valves at the sprinkler heads. These devices prevent water from draining out of the pipes through the lowest sprinklers. Most major sprinkler brands can be retrofitted with a new internal check valve: unfortunately, though, retrofit kits can be difficult to find. You may find it easier to just buy a new head with a check valve feature and replace the old sprinkler with a new one.

Since this kind of equipment is not available at hardware stores, you’ll likely have to buy it online or from a local irrigation specialty store. The experts at South Austin Irrigation can advise you on where to purchase sprinklers with check valves or retrofit check valves and can also help you with the actual installation. Contact us today and let us help you save time, money and water.

This is information for do-it-yourselfers. South Austin Irrigation does not deal with drainage issues, only irrigation equipment repair.

About Matt Sorenson

Originally a Wyoming native, Matt moved to Austin, TX after graduating with a Bachelors of Science from Kansas State. He spent several years working for a couple of large landscaping firms before starting up South Austin Irrigation. "Starting my own company has been the hardest, most challenging, and honestly, the scariest thing I've ever done. I love what I do and I'll do it for as long as people want me to help them with their irrigation systems."

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Excellent, quality work. Matt, the owner, is reliable and explain all charges clearly, with options for how to repair.

Emanuel Saba

21:22 02 Mar 17

I've worked with Matt on a few different occasions and every time he has been extremely professional, timely and most importantly does it right. He really knows the business. His work lasts and is done right. Highly recommend for anyone needing any type of irrigation repair, adding lines, fixing leaks, etc...he does it all!read more

David T

03:17 16 Oct 16

Matt with South Austin Irrigation has been my go-to irrigation company for many changes we've made to our yard over the last 4 years. We've done extensive rock work throughout the front and back yards (which required major irrigation changes); converted an entire zone of our irrigation system to a low-pressure drip irrigation system for my 1000 sq ft "in-ground" garden, plus a recent drainage project to top it off.
My experiences with South Austin Irrigation have always been good - Matt is professional and punctual, and has always known what to do to solve the issues I've thrown at him. I was using other companies before I found him, so I can say that his rates are very competitive as well.
Matt is a good communicator and doesn't mind taking time to explain the reasons for doing something one way or another, and then letting you make an informed decision about how you want to handle it. Of course, if you'd rather just stay out of it and let him make the decisions (I'm too curious for that!), he's more than capable of doing that as well.read more

Raymond Loren Naylor

14:56 02 Jan 12

Knowledgeable service technician. Work performed a quickly and efficiently. Pleased with ovaerall experience. Even helped understand importance of wartering timing.read more